I526-014-INS-REV-OMBReview-02092023

Instructions for Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS
Form I-526
OMB No. 1615-0026
Expires 07/31/2025

What Is the Purpose of Form I-526?
This form is used by a standalone investor to petition U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for status as an
immigrant to the United States under section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended. An
investor seeking to pool his or her investment with one or more additional investors seeking classification under
INA section 203(b)(5) must file for such classification in accordance with INA section 203(b)(5)(E) using Form I-526E,
Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor at www.uscis.gov/i-526e.

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Who May File Form I-526?

You may file this petition for yourself if you have invested or are actively in the process of investing the required
investment amount in a new commercial enterprise (NCE) that will benefit the U.S. economy by creating full-time
employment in the United States for at least 10 U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, or other
immigrants lawfully authorized to be employed in the United States, other than yourself, your spouse, or your sons or
daughters.
An NCE may be established by:

1. The formation of a business after November 29, 1990;

2. The purchase of a business formed on or before November 29, 1990, and simultaneous or subsequent restructuring or
reorganization resulting in an NCE; or
3. The expansion of a business formed on or before November 29, 1990, through investment of the amount required so
that a substantial change (at least 40 percent increase) in either the net worth or number of employees results.
The required investment amount is set by statute. You may obtain additional information about the EB-5 program and
investment amount on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/eb-5immigrant-investor-program, or a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate abroad.

General Instructions
USCIS provides forms free of charge through the USCIS website. In order to view, print, or fill out our forms, you should
use the latest version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not
have Internet access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) and ask that we
mail a form to you. The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
Signature. Each petition must be properly signed and filed. For all signatures on this petition, USCIS will not accept a
stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal guardian may
sign the petition on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. If the request is not
signed or if the requisite signature on the request is not valid, USCIS will reject the request. See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)
(A). If USCIS accepts a request for adjudication and determines that it has a deficient signature, USCIS will deny the
request.
Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of the original handwritten signature
valid for filing purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten ink
signature.

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Filing Fee. Each petition must be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee. (See the What Is the Filing Fee section of
these Instructions.)
Evidence. At the time of filing, you must submit all evidence and supporting documentation listed in the What Evidence
Must You Submit and Specific Instructions section of these Instructions.
Biometric Services Appointment. USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide biometrics
(fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct
background and security checks. After USCIS receives your petition and ensures it is complete, we will inform you if you
need to attend a biometric services appointment. If an appointment is necessary, the notice will provide you the location
of your local or designated USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) and the date and time of your appointment or, if you
are currently overseas, instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS office outside the United States
to set up an appointment. USCIS may use your biometrics to obtain the criminal history records of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation (FBI), for identity verification, to determine eligibility, to create immigration documents (for example,
Permanent Resident Card, Employment Authorization Document), or any purpose authorized by the Immigration and
Nationality Act. You may obtain a copy of your own FBI record using the procedures outlined at 28 CFR 16.32. For
information, please visit: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks. For Privacy Act
information, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/compact-council/privacy-act-statement.

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Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you
must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time during
processing of an application, petition, or request. If USCIS requests an original document from you, it will be returned to
you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.
NOTE: If you submit original documents when not required or requested by USCIS, your original documents may
remain a part of the record, USCIS will not automatically return them to you, and your original documents may be
immediately destroyed upon receipt.
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full certified
English translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate,
and that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification must include the
translator’s signature. DHS recommends the certification contain the translator’s printed name and the date and the
translator’s contact information.
How To Fill Out Form I-526

1. Type or print legibly in black ink.
2. If you need extra space to complete any item within this petition, use the space provided in Part 10. Additional
Information or attach a separate sheet of paper; type or print your name and Alien Registration Number (A-Number)
(if any) at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer
refers, and sign and date each sheet.
3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never been
married and the question asks “Provide the name of your current spouse”), type or print “N/A” unless otherwise
directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many
children do you have” or “How many times have you departed the United States”), type or print “None” unless
otherwise directed.

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Specific Instructions
Part 1. Information About You
Item Number 1. Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (if any). Provide your A-Number. Your A-Number is the
number used to identify your immigration records. It begins with an “A” and can be found on correspondence that has
been received from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or USCIS. If you do not have an A-Number, type or
print “N/A.”
Item Number 2. USCIS Online Account Number (if any). Providing your unique USCIS Online Account Number
(OAN) helps you manage your online account. You have an Online Account Number if you previously filed an
application, petition, or request online or by mail and were issued a receipt number that begins with IOE. If you filed a
form online, you can find your OAN in your USCIS Online Account profile. If you mailed your form, you can find your
OAN at the top of the USCIS Account Access Notice we sent you. The OAN is not the same as an A-Number. If you do
not have a receipt number beginning with IOE, you do not have an OAN.

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Item Number 3. U.S. Social Security Number (if any). Provide your U.S. Social Security number, if you have one.
Item Number 4. Your Full Name. Provide your full legal name in the spaces provided.

Item Number 5. Other Names Used (if any). Provide all the names you have used, including maiden name, married
names, and nicknames, in the space provided.
Item Number 6. Date of Birth. Provide your date of birth in a month/day/year format.
Item Number 7. Gender. Indicate whether you are male or female.

Item Number 8. Place of Birth. Provide the city or town, state or province, and country where you were born in the
spaces provided.
Item Number 9. - 10. Country(ies) of Citizenship or Nationality. Provide the name of the country where you are a
citizen and/or national. If you are a citizen of more than one country, you have had more than one citizenship, or your
nationality differs from your citizenship, provide the information in Part 10. Additional Information. Indicate whether
you are a citizen or national of each country you list. This is not necessarily the country where you were born. If you do
not have citizenship in any country, write “stateless” and provide an explanation in Part 10. Additional Information.
Item Number 11. Country of Last Foreign Residence. Provide the name of the country where you had your last
foreign residence.
Item Number 12 - 13. Mailing Address. Provide the address where you would like to receive written correspondence
regarding your petition. Indicate whether your current mailing address is the same as your physical address.
Item Numbers 14. - 16. Physical Address. Provide your current physical (residential) address and all prior residential
addresses for the past five years. Indicate the dates of residence at each address.
Item Numbers 17. - 20. Employment History. Provide your current employment information and prior employment
information for the prior 20 years of your employment history. If you are currently unemployed or retired, you must
provide the last 20 years of your employment history. Additionally, you must also provide any positions held with
government or military at any time, not just within this 20 year timeframe. Indicate the full legal name of the employer
and address of employment, job title, and dates of employment for each position.
Your Entry Into The United States
If you are currently in the United States, provide the following information:
Item Number 21. Date of Arrival. Provide the date you arrived in the United States in a month/day/year format.
Item Number 22. Place of Arrival or Port-of-Entry. Provide the city/town and state where you arrived in the United
States.

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Item Number 23. Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record. If U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or USCIS
issued you a Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, provide your I-94 admission number and date that your authorized
period of stay expires or expired (as shown on the Form I-94). The I-94 admission number also is known as the Departure
Number on some versions of Form I-94.
NOTE: If you were admitted to the United States by CBP at an airport or seaport after April 30, 2013, CBP may have
issued you an electronic Form I-94 instead of a paper Form I-94. You may visit the CBP website at www.cbp.gov/i94 to
obtain a paper version of an electronic Form I-94. CBP does not charge a fee for this service. Some travelers admitted to
the United States at a land border, airport, or seaport, after April 30, 2013 with a passport or travel document, who were
issued a paper Form I-94 by CBP, may also be able to obtain a replacement Form I-94 from the CBP website without
charge. If you cannot obtain the Form I-94 from the CBP website, you may do so by filing Form I-102, Application for
Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document, with USCIS. USCIS does charge a fee for this service.

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Part 2. Information About Your Spouse and Children

Item Number 1. Full Name. Provide the full legal name of your spouse in the spaces provided. If you do not have a
spouse, provide the full legal name of your child, if you have one.
Item Number 2. Date of Birth. Provide the date of birth for the person in a month/day/year format.
Item Number 3. Country of Birth. Provide the country where the person was born.

Item Numbers 4. - 5. Country(ies) of Citizenship. Provide the name of the country where your spouse is a citizen and/
or national. If your spouse is a citizen of more than one country, has had more than one citizenship, or the nationality
differs from your spouse’s citizenship, provide the information in Part 10. Additional Information. Indicate whether
your spouse is a citizen or national of each country you list. This is not necessarily the country where your spouse was
born. If you do not have citizenship in any country, write “stateless” and provide an explanation in Part 10. Additional
Information.
Item Number 6. Relationship. Indicate the relationship the person has with you (spouse or child).
Item Numbers 7. - 8. Permanent Residence. Indicate whether the person will seek lawful permanent resident status by
selecting the appropriate boxes to indicate whether the person will apply for adjustment of status or for an immigrant visa
abroad.
NOTE: An annotation of a dependent’s intention to either apply for adjustment of status or an immigrant visa abroad
in Part 3. of the Form I-526 is not binding, but should reflect the dependent’s intent at the time you file the Form I-526
petition.
Item Numbers 9. - 38. These data collections are provided for you to fill out for all of your children. They collect the
same information as Item Numbers 1. - 8.
Part 3. Information About the New Commercial Enterprise (NCE)
Provide all requested information about the new commercial enterprise (NCE). If the NCE is a holding company and its
wholly owned subsidiaries, provide information about the top-level holding company in Item Numbers 1. - 12. and all
wholly-owned subsidiaries, including names, and dates and jurisdiction of formation in Item B. in Item Number 2.
Type of NCE
Item Number 13. Select only one of the options.
Select Item A. in Item Number 13. to indicate that the NCE was formed after November 29, 1990.
Select Item B. in Item Number 13. to indicate that the NCE resulted from the purchase of a business formed on or before
November 29, 1990, that is restructured or reorganized.
Select Item C. in Item Number 13. to indicate that the NCE resulted from a capital investment in and substantial
expansion of a business formed on or before November 29, 1990.

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Item Number 14. Troubled Business. Indicate whether you have invested or are actively in the process of investing
in a troubled business and, if yes, provide an explanation of how the NCE qualifies as a troubled business. Troubled
business means a business that has been in existence for at least two years, has incurred a net loss for accounting purposes
(determined on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles) during the 12- or 24- month period prior to the
priority date on the alien investor’s Form I-526, and the loss for such period is at least equal to twenty percent of the
troubled business’s net worth prior to such loss. For purposes of determining whether or not the troubled business has
been in existence for two years, successors in interest to the troubled business will be deemed to have been in existence
for the same period of time as the business they succeeded.
Part 4. Information About Your Investment

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Submission of Required Initial Evidence

You must select one of these options for the submission of required initial evidence. If you select to submit evidence
through a myUSCIS account, you will receive instructions with your receipt notice. We strongly encourage you to submit
the evidence as soon as practicable after receiving the instructions.
Investment Type and Required Capital Investment

You must select at least one of the following options, and provide the requested information. If your investment meets
more than one of these categories, select all that apply.
Item Number 1. Rural Area. Select this box if your investment is in a rural area. A rural area is an area outside a
metropolitan statistical area (MSA) (as designated by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget) and outside
the outer boundary of a city or town with a population of 20,000 or more (based on the most recent decennial census of
the United States).
Item Number 2. High Unemployment Area. Select this box if your investment is in a high unemployment area. A
high unemployment area is an area comprised of the census tract or contiguous census tracts where the NCE is principally
doing business and may include any directly adjacent census tracts if the weighted unemployment average of the area
identified is at least 150% of national average rate.
Item A. in Item Number 2. Provide any directly adjacent census tract(s) used in your calculation to establish an area of
high unemployment. Enter the 11-digit FIPS code (2-digit state code, 3-digit county code, and 6-digit tract code format)
that uniquely identifies each census tract.
Item B. in Item Number 2. Provide the weighted unemployment average calculated for the high unemployment area you
identified.
Item C. in Item Number 2. Indicate the national average unemployment rate at the time of your investment.
Item D. in Item Number 2. Identify the data sources used for the calculations provided in Items B. - C. in Item Number
2.
Item Number 3. High Employment Area. Indicate whether your petition is based on an investment in an area
experiencing unemployment significantly below the national average unemployment rate. The investment amount
required in a high employment area is the same as the standard investment amount.
Item Number 4. Non-TEA/ Non-High Employment Area. Indicate whether your petition is based on an investment in
an area that is not in a targeted employment area or high employment area.
Composition of Your Investment, Administrative Costs and Fees, and Your Net Worth
Item Number 5. Dates and Amounts of Your Investment. Provide the date(s) and amount(s) of your investment in the
NCE in a month/day/year format. If you are actively in the process of investing capital, provide the date(s) and amount(s)
you anticipate making the investment.

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Item Number 6. U.S. Bank Account. Indicate the total amount of money you have deposited or committed to deposit
in U.S. business account(s) for the NCE, including money placed into escrow with a U.S. or foreign bank. If you have
not transferred any funds to a U.S. business account for an NCE, please provide an explanation in Part 10. Additional
Information.
Item Number 7. Total Value of Assets Purchased. Indicate the total value of all assets purchased for use in the NCE.
Item Number 8. Total Value of All Property. Indicate the total value of all property transferred from abroad for use in
the NCE.
Item Number 9. Total of All Debt Financing. Indicate the total of all debt financing for which the investor is personally
and primarily liable and which is secured by assets owned by the investor provided to the NCE. Any indebtedness must
be documented with evidence of the investor’s ownership of the assets used to secure the indebtedness, as well as the fair
market value of the investor’s ownership interest in such assets.

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Item Number 10. Total Stock or Other Equity. Indicate the total value of all stock or other equity purchased in the
NCE.
Item Number 11. Other Capital. Indicate any other capital invested or in the process of being invested in the NCE.
Provide an explanation for such capital in Part 10. Additional Information.
Item Number 12. Administrative Costs and Fees. Provide the date(s) and amount(s) of any administrative fees you
paid associated with your investment in the NCE in a month/day/year format.
Item Number 13. Your Net Worth. Indicate your current net worth.

Item Number 14. Sources of the Capital You Have Invested. Identify the sources of the capital you have invested
or are actively in the process of investing into the NCE, as well as any funds used to pay administrative costs and fees
associated with your investment. Select all that apply.
Item Number 15. Provide details about the documentation included with the petition in the space provided. If you need
additional space, use the space provided in Part 10. Additional Information.
Item Number 16. If the capital used for your investment was a gift or loan, identify the donor or lender and describe the
documentation provided with the petition to demonstrate the lawful source of funds. Any gifted or loaned funds invested
in the NCE must have been gifted or loaned in good faith to the investor and were not gifted or loaned to circumvent
limitations on permissible sources of capital, including proceeds from illegal activity.
Item Number 17. Provide the identity of any third-party you used to transfer capital into the United States on your
behalf. This may include any money-service business or third-party exchanger, such as a hawala. For businesses, you
should include the name and address of the entity, a copy of the business license or registration information, and any other
information that confirms the identity of the business. For individuals, you should include the person’s full name, date of
birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, and a copy of the person’s state-issued identification document, passport,
birth certificate, or other documents to confirm the identity of the person.
Part 5. Employment Creation Information
Item Number 1. Indicate if you are employed by the NCE in which you have invested. If you are employed, provide
your position, office or title and your duties, activities, and responsibilities with the NCE.
Item Number 2. Full-Time Direct and Qualifying Employees at Initial Investment. Indicate the number of fulltime direct and qualifying employees who were working in the NCE at the time of your initial investment. A direct
and qualifying employee is an individual who provides services or labor for the NCE, who receives wages or other
remuneration directly from the NCE, and who is a United States citizen, United States national, lawful permanent resident,
or other immigrant lawfully authorized to be employed in the United States, excluding you, your spouse, and your sons
and daughters. This definition does not include independent contractors.

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Item Number 3. Current Full-time Direct and Qualifying Employees. Indicate how many full-time direct and
qualifying employees are working in the NCE currently.
Item Number 4. Difference In Number of Full-Time Direct and Qualifying Employees. Subtract the number in Item
Number 5. from the number in Item Number 6. and provide the difference here.
Item Number 5. Estimated Full-Time Positions That Will Be Created. Indicate how many estimated direct full-time
positions for qualifying employees will be created by the NCE.
Item Number 6. Total Investment Made Available to Job-Creating Business(es) of the NCE. Indicate the total
amount of your capital that has been or will be made available to the job-creating business(es) of the NCE.

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Part 6. Visa Processing and Immigration Proceedings

Item Numbers 1. - 5. Permanent Residence. Indicate how you will seek lawful permanent resident status by selecting
the appropriate box for either immigrant visa processing abroad or an application for adjustment of status. If you intend to
seek an immigrant visa abroad, indicate your country of citizenship or nationality and country of current residence. If you
are currently in the United States and intend to apply for adjustment of status, indicate the country of your last permanent
residence abroad and provide the address and telephone number of your last permanent residence abroad. If your native
alphabet is other than Roman letters, write your foreign address in your native alphabet.
Item Number 6. Indicate if you are submitting any additional forms with your petition, including an application to
adjust status, obtain employment authorization, or obtain a travel document. You may file an application to adjust status
concurrently with or subsequent to this Form I-526 if approval of your Form I-526 petition would make an immigrant visa
immediately available to you. Consult the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin and the USCIS website to determine if
an EB-5 immigrant visa is immediately available to you.
Item Numbers 7. - 10. Immigration Proceedings. Indicate whether you are or have you ever been in removal,
exclusion or deportation proceedings before the DHS or the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration
Review (EOIR) Immigration Court or the Board of Immigration Appeals, and, if so, the location of the proceedings.
Indicate whether you ever been unlawfully present or overstayed a visa and if you ever been denied a visa or deported.
Provide an explanation for why you are in proceedings in Part 10. Additional Information and under what grounds you
were denied a visa or deported. Also indicate whether you are currently subject to a final order of exclusion, deportation,
or removal, or subject to reinstatement of such an order.
Item Numbers 11. - 12. Employment in the United States. Indicate whether you have ever worked without proper
work authorization while in the United States. Also, provide an explanation for why you worked without proper work
authorization in the space provided and, if necessary, in Part 10. Additional Information.
Part 10. Additional Information
If you need extra space to provide any additional information within this petition, use the space provided in Part 10.
Additional Information. If you need more space than what is provided in Part 10., you may make copies of Part 10. to
complete and file with your petition, or attach a separate sheet of paper. Type or print your name and A-Number (if any)
at the top of each sheet; indicate the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number to which your answer refers, and
sign and date each sheet.

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We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed petition to review in the future and for your
records. We recommend that you review your copy of your completed petition before you come to your
biometric services appointment at a USCIS ASC. At your appointment, USCIS will permit you to complete the
petition process only if you are able to confirm, under penalty of perjury, that all of the information in your petition is
complete, true, and correct. If you are not able to make that attestation in good faith at that time, USCIS will require
you to return for another appointment.

What Evidence Must You Submit?

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You must submit all evidence requested in these Instructions with your petition or through your myUSCIS account shortly
after submitting your petition. If you select to submit evidence through a myUSCIS account, you will receive instructions
with your receipt notice. If you fail to submit required evidence, USCIS may reject or deny your petition for failure to
submit requested evidence or supporting documents in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(1) and these Instructions
Evidence to Accompany Petition

The following evidence must, when applicable, be filed with your petition or through your myUSCIS account shortly after
submitting your petition:
1. Lawful Business Entity. Evidence that you have invested in, or are actively in the process of investing in, a lawful
business entity validly formed after November 29, 1990 and validly operating under the laws of the jurisdiction in the
United States in which it is located. If you made an investment in a business formed on or before November 29, 1990,
you must submit evidence that your investment resulted in a restructuring or reorganization of the business or has
caused a substantial (at least 40 percent) increase in the net worth of the business, the number of employees, or both.
Such evidence shall, as applicable, consist of:

A. Copies of articles of incorporation, certificate of merger or consolidation, partnership agreement, certificate of
limited partnership, joint venture agreement, business trust agreement, or other similar organizational document;
B. A certificate evidencing authority to do business in a state or municipality, or if such is not required or issued, a
statement to that effect; or
C. Evidence that, as of a date after November 29, 1990, the required amount of capital was transferred to an existing
business resulting in a substantial increase in the net worth or number of employees. This evidence must be in the
form of stock purchase agreements, investment agreements, certified financial reports, payroll records, or other
similar instruments, agreements, or documents evidencing the investment and the resulting substantial change.
2. Targeted Employment Area. Targeted Employment Area. Evidence, if applicable, that your enterprise has created
or will create employment in a targeted employment area. A targeted employment area is defined as an area which,
at the time of investment, is a rural area or high unemployment area. A rural area is an area not within a metropolitan
statistical area and not within the outer boundary of any city or town having a population of 20,000 or more. An area
of high unemployment includes the census tract(s) where the NCE is principally doing business and may include
any directly adjacent census tracts, if the weighted unemployment average of the area is at least 150 percent of the
national average rate. In the case of a high unemployment area, a petitioner must submit a listing of the census tract
or contiguous census tracts as well as any directly adjacent census tracts used in the calculation to determine the area
is experiencing a weighted unemployment average rate of at least 150% of the national average rate. The calculation
should use reliable and verifiable data that is internally consistent to calculate the unemployment rate. For example,
if you used data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) to determine the unemployment
rate for the requested area, you should also rely on ACS data to determine the national unemployment rate to which
the area identified is compared.
3. Investment. Evidence that you have invested or are actively in the process of investing the required amount of
capital.
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Such evidence may include, but need not be limited to, copies of bank statements showing amounts deposited into
the U.S. business accounts for the NCE, evidence of assets that have been purchased for use in the NCE, evidence of
property transferred from abroad for use in the NCE, evidence of monies transferred or committed to be transferred
to the NCE in exchange for shares of stock that cannot be redeemed at the holder’s request, or any loan or mortgage
agreement, promissory note, security agreement, or other evidence of borrowing that is secured by assets owned by
the petitioner (other than those of the NCE) and for which the petitioner is personally and primarily liable.
4. Lawful Capital. Evidence that the capital you invested or are actively in the process of investing, as well as any
funds used to pay administrative costs and fees, were obtained through lawful means. You must include the following
documents, as applicable, with your petition: foreign business registration records, tax returns of any kind filed by
you or on your behalf within the last seven years in or outside the United States, evidence of other sources of capital,
or certified copies of any judgments, or evidence of all pending governmental administrative, civil or criminal actions,
any private civil actions (pending or otherwise) involving monetary judgments against the petitioner from any court
in or outside the United States within the past 15 years, and the identity of any person who transferred capital used
for your investment into the United States on your behalf. If your investment funds were gifted or borrowed, submit
evidence from the donor or, if other than a bank, the lender demonstrating that such funds were obtained through
lawful means and that the funds were gifted or loaned in good faith and were not gifted or loaned to circumvent any
limitations imposed on permissible sources of capital, including, but not limited to proceeds from illegal activity.
Capital does not include:

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•

Assets directly or indirectly acquired by unlawful means;

•

Any capital invested in exchange for a note, bond, convertable debt, obligation, or any other debt arrangement
between you and the NCE;

•

Any capital invested with a guranteed rate or return; or

•

Any capital invested that is subject to an agreement between you and the NCE that provides you with a
contractual right to repayment, such as a mandatory redemption or sell-back option held by you.

5. Job Creation. Evidence that the enterprise has created or will create at least ten full-time positions for qualifying
employees. Qualifying employee means a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or other immigrant
lawfully authorized to be employed in the United States. This definition does not include you, your spouse, your sons
or daughters, or any nonimmigrant alien. Such evidence must consist of copies of relevant tax records, Form I-9s, or
other similar documents, if the employees have already been hired, or a comprehensive business plan showing when
such employees will be hired.
For cases involving troubled businesses, the petition must be accompanied by evidence that the number of existing
employees is being or will be maintained at no less than the pre-investment level for a period of at least two
years. Photocopies of tax records, Forms I-9s, or other relevant documents for the qualifying employees and a
comprehensive business plan must be submitted.
6. Identification. Submit a photocopy of government-issued identification, which may include a copy of your passport.

What Is the Filing Fee?
The filing fee for Form I-526 is $3,675.
NOTE: The filing fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this petition. DO NOT MAIL CASH.
You must submit all fees in the exact amount.
Use the following guidelines when you prepare your check or money order for the Form I-526 filing fee:
1. The check or money order must be drawn on a bank or other financial institution located in the United States and must
be payable in U.S. currency; and
2. Make the check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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NOTE: Spell out U.S. Department of Homeland Security; do not use the initials “USDHS” or “DHS.”
3. If you live outside the United States, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate for instructions on the
method of payment.
Notice to Those Making Payment by Check. If you send us a check, USCIS will convert it into an electronic funds
transfer (EFT). This means we will copy your check and use the account information on it to electronically debit your
account for the amount of the check. The debit from your account will usually take 24 hours and your bank will show it
on your regular account statement.
You will not receive your original check back. We will destroy your original check, but we will keep a copy of it. If
USCIS cannot process the EFT for technical reasons, you authorize us to process the copy in place of your original check.
If your check is returned as unpayable, USCIS will re-submit the payment to the financial institution one time. If the
check is returned as unpayable a second time, we will reject your petition and charge you a returned check fee.

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Payments by Credit Card

If you are filing your petition at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you can pay your filing fee using a credit card. Please see
Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, at www.uscis.gov/G-1450 for more information.
NOTE: By completing this transaction, you agree that you have paid for a government service and that the filing fee,
biometric services fee and all related financial transactions are final and not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS
takes on an application, petition or request, or how long USCIS takes to reach a decision. DO NOT MAIL CASH. You
must submit all fees in the exact amounts.
NOTE: The filing fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this petition. DO NOT MAIL CASH.
You must submit all fees in the exact amounts.
How To Check If the Fees Are Correct

Form I-526’s filing fee is current as of the edition date in the lower left corner of this page. However, because USCIS fees
change periodically, you can verify that the fees are correct by following one of the steps below.
1. Visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov, select “FORMS,” and check the appropriate fee; or
2. Visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to get answers to your questions and connect
with a live USCIS representative. If you do not have internet access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center at
1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.

Where To File?
Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/i-526 or visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to
connect with a USCIS representative for the most current information about where to file this petition. If you do not have
internet access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact
Center provides information in English and Spanish.

Address Change
A petitioner who is not a U.S. citizen must notify USCIS of his or her new address within 10 days of moving
from his or her previous residence. For information on filing a change of address go to the USCIS website at
www.uscis.gov/addresschange or reach out to the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter for help. If
you do not have internet access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833). The
USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
NOTE: Do not submit a change of address request to USCIS Lockbox facilities because these facilities do not process
change of address requests.
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Processing Information
Initial Processing. Once USCIS accepts your petition we will check it for completeness. If you do not completely fill
out this petition, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and USCIS may reject or deny your petition.
Requests for More Information. We may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your
petition. We may also request that you provide the originals of any copies you submit. If USCIS requests an original
document from you, it will be returned to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.
Requests for Interview. We may request that you appear at a USCIS office for an interview based on your petition.
At the time of any interview or other appearance at a USCIS office, we may require that you provide your fingerprints,
photograph, and/or signature to verify your identity and/or update background and security checks.

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Decision. The decision on Form I-526 involves a determination of whether you have established eligibility for the
immigration benefit you are seeking. USCIS will notify you of the decision in writing.

USCIS Forms and Information

To ensure you are using the latest version of this petition, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov where you can obtain
the latest USCIS forms and immigration-related information. If you do not have internet access, you may call the USCIS
Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) and ask that we mail a form to you. The USCIS Contact Center
provides information in English and Spanish.
Please visit us at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter to get basic information about immigration services and ask questions
about a pending case. Through our digital self-help tools and live assistance, the USCIS Contact Center provides a
pathway for you to get consistent, accurate information and answers to immigration case questions.

Penalties

If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Form I-526, we will
deny your Form I-526 and may deny any other immigration benefit. In addition, you will face severe penalties provided
by law and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

DHS Privacy Notice
AUTHORITIES: The information requested on this petition, and the associated evidence, is collected under Immigration
and Nationality Act (INA) sections 101,103 203, 204, 216A, and 245 (as amended), the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of
2022, Div. BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. No. 117-103), and 8 CFR parts 103 and 204.6.
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this petition, and the associated evidence,
is to demonstrate that you have invested, or are actively in the process of investing, lawfully obtained capital in a new
commercial enterprise in the United States that will create full-time jobs for not fewer than ten qualifying employees.
DHS will use the information you provide to grant or deny the immigration benefit you are seeking.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information,
including your Social Security number (if applicable), and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in
denial of your petition.

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ROUTINE USES: DHS may share the information you provide on this petition and any additional requested evidence
with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved
routine uses described in the associated published system of records notices [DHS/USCIS-001 - Alien File, Index, and
National File Tracking System of Records and DHS/USCIS-007 - Benefits Information System] and the published privacy
impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA-003 Integrated Digitization Document Management Program and DHS/USCIS/
PIA-016(a) Computer Linked Application Information Management System and Associated Systems], which you can find
at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement purposes or in the
interest of national security.

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Paperwork Reduction Act

An agency may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection
of information, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public
reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 1 hour and 50 minutes per response, including the time
for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information, completing the petition, preparing
statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the petition. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900 Capital
Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009; OMB No. 1615-0026. Do not mail your completed
Form I-526 to this address.

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